One
# CW: Hey! Great to see you all again! Hope you enjoy my new ff! #
Joey Wheeler slammed the door of the janitor's closet and kicked it hard. The thud echoed along the empty corridors of Domino High School, where he himself was once educated.
'Joey! I'd prefer it if you didn't do that. You'll only make more work for yourself if you break it!'
Mr Hutton walked past, barely glancing at the young man. He had taught him biology years ago, and still tended to treat him like a child.
Joey leant back against the door and slid down it until he was sitting on the floor.
He hated this job, but it was all he was good for. He'd never get anywhere in life now.
It was too late.
He guessed he had never really thought about his future, being so wrapped up in helping Yugi save the world and all.
He thought of the engagement ring on Téa's finger.
Yugi and Téa were to be married in January.
And here was Joey. Lonely, tired, broke Joey. Sitting here on the floor in his old school. A janitor.
He wanted to be like Yugi.
He wanted to have something to look forward to. Someone he knew he would spend the rest of his life with.
He knew exactly who he wanted.
But then the problems started.
He didn't know where she was, he didn't have enough money to buy an engagement wiener, let alone a ring, and worst of all, he was too much for her.
She didn't love him in return.
Joey looked down at the tattoo on his arm.
It showed a twisted wreath with the initials: T.G, Y.M, S.W and T.T inside it.
Where was M.V? Mai Valentine?
Had he forgotten her?
~
Téa sat on the couch, cradling little Vicky in her lap, singing nonsense songs to her.
She checked her watch.
Yugi was late again. Probably caught up in another duel.
She laughed to herself.
Her eyes travelled from her watch to the glistening diamond on her finger.
In a few months time, she would be Mrs Téa Motou!
She hugged Vicky tightly
'Daddy will be home soon, sweetie.' She crooned.
Vicky burbled in reply.
The door clicked open.
'Téa! Vicky! I'm home!' Yugi wandered into the room, throwing his coat onto the lounge chair and sitting down next to Téa on the couch.
'Hang it up, Yugi!' laughed Téa. She had to remind him every time, but it was worth it to see the cute little look of embarrassment on his face.
Yugi hurried back into the hall and hung his coat on the hook, then returned to his seat next to his fiancée.
'How's Vicky?' he asked her, nestling a finger into his daughter's tiny fist. She immediately raised it to her mouth and began to suck it.
'Happy.' Replied Téa. 'It's almost like she knows we're going to get married.'
'I wouldn't put it past her. She's our daughter after all.' Grinned Yugi. 'She's got to be intelligent!'
Téa giggled and kissed Yugi gleefully.
~
'Take a hike, Dawson!'
The dark-haired young man stumbled down the steps from the doorway.
An elegant hand reached out and tossed a bunch of roses after him.
He whimpered and ran off, leaving the roses he had brought lying there in a puddle.
'Good riddance.' Muttered Mai Valentine, closing the door behind her.
She wandered back into her spacious sitting room and pulled her portfolio out from one of the bookshelves.
She slumped down onto an armchair and flicked through it.
It usually made her feel better, looking through her career when she was stressed.
But right now, her ego was in the minus numbers, and looking at pictures of herself didn't seem like much fun.
It was almost as if she was lonely.
But Mai Valentine never got lonely. She had been married once, and she hated it. That was not the life for her.
She had been in love once as well, but that was not with the same person.
He was probably doing great now, with just enough money in the bank and a happy, friendly family at home.
She almost wanted to see him again, just to make sure he still existed.
No. He was wrong for her, and she didn't love him anymore.
~
Tristan Taylor knocked on the door of the Wheelers' apartment.
Joey and his sister Serenity shared it, as they didn't have enough money to rent one each.
Joey answered the door, looking just as weary and stressed as usual. Tristan was beginning to worry about his buddy.
'Hey!' grinned Tristan, willing some of his cheerful mood to rub off on Joey.
'Hey, Tristan.' Smiled Joey quietly. 'Serenity's just got back. I take it you wanna see her?'
'Well, yeah.' Said Tristan with a wink. 'Also, Joey, I think you better see this. It's a face I bet you never expected to see again.'
'Come in and let me have a look.' Said Joey bluntly.
Tristan wandered into their lounge and sat down on the battered couch. Joey sat next to him.
'What is it, then?' asked Joey.
'Well, this morning I went down to the shops for the paper.' Said Tristan. 'I decided to have a look through the magazines, too. As I was looking through them for something interesting, one caught my eye. I looked at it and thought 'Jesus! It's..."
Tristan held up a magazine, and Joey stared at it for a few seconds.
'Mai.' He breathed.
The blonde smiled out from the front of the magazine, wearing something outrageously tiny as usual. On her arm, just as Joey had last seen her, sat a duel disk. She was just as he remembered.
'Cover-girl Mai, huh?' Tristan nudged Joey in the ribs. 'Thought I had to show you that, bud. You wanna keep it?'
To his surprise, Joey looked away.
'No, Tristan.' He said. 'What's done is done.'
Tristan raised his eyebrows.
'Hey, man. I honestly thought you would...'
'I ain't dwelling on something I already lost, Ok?' said Joey quietly.
'Ok.' Tristan was a little taken aback.
'Serenity's in the kitchen.' Joey pointed without looking.
'Ok.' Repeated Tristan, and wandered off.
~
Serenity had had a great day. Babysitting was tiring but rewarding work.
When she tucked the youngsters in at night, read them a bedtime story or sang them a lullaby and then switched off their light and closed their bedroom door, she felt a great sense of pride that she had successfully done something for someone else.
She had no idea why her brother hated babies.
It was probably because he knew he could never have one of his own.
Maybe he was still sore after... it didn't matter anyway. That was his business.
Serenity tossed her empty soup-can into the trash can and began to wash up her bowl.
There was a soft knock at the kitchen door.
'Come on in, Joey.' She said without looking around, presuming it was her brother. 'Something the matter?'
The door creaked open and there were quiet footsteps across the tiles.
Serenity felt two strong arms round her waist and warm breath on the back of her neck.
'Hey, Serenity.'
It was Tristan. Serenity smiled. She had been dating him on and off for about a year now, and he wasn't exactly discreet about his feelings for her. Of course, Serenity was also still in touch with Duke Devlin, who seemed to think he was Serenity's boyfriend.
To be honest, Serenity didn't want to decide. She loved them both.
'Hey Tristan. What brings you to this neck of the woods?' she asked jovially.
Tristan didn't answer this question, but nuzzled into her hair like an affectionate puppy and whispered 'I'm particularly unpopular with your brother at the moment, Serenity.'
She giggled. 'Oh it's Ok, Tristan. He's always depressed about one thing or another.' Her voice darkened a little. 'What I'm worried about is if he turns out like Dad.'
Tristan nodded. He knew all about Mr Wheeler and his drinking problem.
'I'll make sure he doesn't get on the booze, sweetheart. I promise.' Tristan kissed Serenity on the cheek and she smiled broadly.
If only Joey could have as good a time as she was having.
'Hey! You two lovebirds gossiping about me?' Joey's voice rang through from the next room.
Serenity rolled her eyes. He was so paranoid!
'No. Just get on with drooling over those girly pictures, Ok?' called Tristan.
Serenity gave him a warning nudge.
The kitchen door burst open and Joey stormed in, red in the face.
Tristan let go of Serenity and balled his hands into fists.
'Just you say that again, you son of a bitch.' Hissed Joey.
'Just get on with drooling over those girly pictures, Ok?' replied Tristan.
Joey gave a cry and flung himself at Tristan, thumping him hard in the jaw and sending him reeling backwards.
Tristan pulled himself together, ready to retaliate, but Serenity jumped between the two young men.
'Guys! What is your problem?' she shrieked.
Joey was shaking with anger.
'He knows.' He growled, pointing at his friend with a trembling finger. 'He knows my problem, and he's teasing me about it. He thinks it's funny. Serenity, I ain't gonna let you out with him again, and if I so much as smell a hint of his cheap aftershave around my house, he won't make it out alive, I swear!'
'Joey, I didn't mean it.' Apologised Tristan. 'Not that way. I'm sorry if it seemed like I was even suggesting you liked Mai because of her-'
'See? He's doing it again! He's taunting me!' Joey attempted to push past Serenity and get at Tristan's neck, but Serenity held him back.
'Perhaps you should go, Tristan.' She said quietly.
'But honey, I...'
'I'll be fine.' Said Serenity. 'He's my brother. He won't hurt me. Just go. I'll see you somehow, Ok?'
Tristan took Serenity by the shoulders and kissed her passionately.
Serenity broke away from him.
'Just go, Ok?'
Tristan backed away silently, out through the door into the sitting room and away.
'Yeah, and don't come back, you bastard!' Joey roared after him.
'Joey, calm down-'
Joey swung round and slapped his younger sister across the face.
Serenity cried out in surprise, then burst into tears and sat down heavily on the couch.
Joey stood there, frozen, staring at what he had done.
'Jesus, look what's happening to me!' He said quietly. 'I'm sorry Serenity.'
'You're not Joey.' Whimpered his sister. 'You're turning out worse than Dad. You don't even need beer to get you like this.'
Joey sat down next to her.
'Look, maybe it would be better if I just wasn't here at all.' He said softly.
Serenity stared up at him.
'You're not saying...'
'Maybe it's the best way, yeah.' Joey smiled at her, his eyes shining with tears.
'Joey, it's been eight years.' Said Serenity. 'Perhaps it's time to stop pining. Perhaps it's time to stop giving up. Either go get her or forget her.'
'Who?' Joey suddenly changed without warning. 'See? I've forgotten already. I'll do what you say, sis. I'm gonna get a life, not lose what I've already got.'
Still, Serenity was worried. That transformation was way too quick. Maybe he was just trying to make her happy before he...
When Joey left for the bedroom, Serenity punched Yugi's number into the telephone.
It's at times like these when people need reminding of who they were.
# CW: Whaddayathink? Personally, I think it's starting to sound like a bad soap opera, but in Mai's own immortal words, 'who doesn't love a bad soap opera?' #
# CW: Hey! Great to see you all again! Hope you enjoy my new ff! #
Joey Wheeler slammed the door of the janitor's closet and kicked it hard. The thud echoed along the empty corridors of Domino High School, where he himself was once educated.
'Joey! I'd prefer it if you didn't do that. You'll only make more work for yourself if you break it!'
Mr Hutton walked past, barely glancing at the young man. He had taught him biology years ago, and still tended to treat him like a child.
Joey leant back against the door and slid down it until he was sitting on the floor.
He hated this job, but it was all he was good for. He'd never get anywhere in life now.
It was too late.
He guessed he had never really thought about his future, being so wrapped up in helping Yugi save the world and all.
He thought of the engagement ring on Téa's finger.
Yugi and Téa were to be married in January.
And here was Joey. Lonely, tired, broke Joey. Sitting here on the floor in his old school. A janitor.
He wanted to be like Yugi.
He wanted to have something to look forward to. Someone he knew he would spend the rest of his life with.
He knew exactly who he wanted.
But then the problems started.
He didn't know where she was, he didn't have enough money to buy an engagement wiener, let alone a ring, and worst of all, he was too much for her.
She didn't love him in return.
Joey looked down at the tattoo on his arm.
It showed a twisted wreath with the initials: T.G, Y.M, S.W and T.T inside it.
Where was M.V? Mai Valentine?
Had he forgotten her?
~
Téa sat on the couch, cradling little Vicky in her lap, singing nonsense songs to her.
She checked her watch.
Yugi was late again. Probably caught up in another duel.
She laughed to herself.
Her eyes travelled from her watch to the glistening diamond on her finger.
In a few months time, she would be Mrs Téa Motou!
She hugged Vicky tightly
'Daddy will be home soon, sweetie.' She crooned.
Vicky burbled in reply.
The door clicked open.
'Téa! Vicky! I'm home!' Yugi wandered into the room, throwing his coat onto the lounge chair and sitting down next to Téa on the couch.
'Hang it up, Yugi!' laughed Téa. She had to remind him every time, but it was worth it to see the cute little look of embarrassment on his face.
Yugi hurried back into the hall and hung his coat on the hook, then returned to his seat next to his fiancée.
'How's Vicky?' he asked her, nestling a finger into his daughter's tiny fist. She immediately raised it to her mouth and began to suck it.
'Happy.' Replied Téa. 'It's almost like she knows we're going to get married.'
'I wouldn't put it past her. She's our daughter after all.' Grinned Yugi. 'She's got to be intelligent!'
Téa giggled and kissed Yugi gleefully.
~
'Take a hike, Dawson!'
The dark-haired young man stumbled down the steps from the doorway.
An elegant hand reached out and tossed a bunch of roses after him.
He whimpered and ran off, leaving the roses he had brought lying there in a puddle.
'Good riddance.' Muttered Mai Valentine, closing the door behind her.
She wandered back into her spacious sitting room and pulled her portfolio out from one of the bookshelves.
She slumped down onto an armchair and flicked through it.
It usually made her feel better, looking through her career when she was stressed.
But right now, her ego was in the minus numbers, and looking at pictures of herself didn't seem like much fun.
It was almost as if she was lonely.
But Mai Valentine never got lonely. She had been married once, and she hated it. That was not the life for her.
She had been in love once as well, but that was not with the same person.
He was probably doing great now, with just enough money in the bank and a happy, friendly family at home.
She almost wanted to see him again, just to make sure he still existed.
No. He was wrong for her, and she didn't love him anymore.
~
Tristan Taylor knocked on the door of the Wheelers' apartment.
Joey and his sister Serenity shared it, as they didn't have enough money to rent one each.
Joey answered the door, looking just as weary and stressed as usual. Tristan was beginning to worry about his buddy.
'Hey!' grinned Tristan, willing some of his cheerful mood to rub off on Joey.
'Hey, Tristan.' Smiled Joey quietly. 'Serenity's just got back. I take it you wanna see her?'
'Well, yeah.' Said Tristan with a wink. 'Also, Joey, I think you better see this. It's a face I bet you never expected to see again.'
'Come in and let me have a look.' Said Joey bluntly.
Tristan wandered into their lounge and sat down on the battered couch. Joey sat next to him.
'What is it, then?' asked Joey.
'Well, this morning I went down to the shops for the paper.' Said Tristan. 'I decided to have a look through the magazines, too. As I was looking through them for something interesting, one caught my eye. I looked at it and thought 'Jesus! It's..."
Tristan held up a magazine, and Joey stared at it for a few seconds.
'Mai.' He breathed.
The blonde smiled out from the front of the magazine, wearing something outrageously tiny as usual. On her arm, just as Joey had last seen her, sat a duel disk. She was just as he remembered.
'Cover-girl Mai, huh?' Tristan nudged Joey in the ribs. 'Thought I had to show you that, bud. You wanna keep it?'
To his surprise, Joey looked away.
'No, Tristan.' He said. 'What's done is done.'
Tristan raised his eyebrows.
'Hey, man. I honestly thought you would...'
'I ain't dwelling on something I already lost, Ok?' said Joey quietly.
'Ok.' Tristan was a little taken aback.
'Serenity's in the kitchen.' Joey pointed without looking.
'Ok.' Repeated Tristan, and wandered off.
~
Serenity had had a great day. Babysitting was tiring but rewarding work.
When she tucked the youngsters in at night, read them a bedtime story or sang them a lullaby and then switched off their light and closed their bedroom door, she felt a great sense of pride that she had successfully done something for someone else.
She had no idea why her brother hated babies.
It was probably because he knew he could never have one of his own.
Maybe he was still sore after... it didn't matter anyway. That was his business.
Serenity tossed her empty soup-can into the trash can and began to wash up her bowl.
There was a soft knock at the kitchen door.
'Come on in, Joey.' She said without looking around, presuming it was her brother. 'Something the matter?'
The door creaked open and there were quiet footsteps across the tiles.
Serenity felt two strong arms round her waist and warm breath on the back of her neck.
'Hey, Serenity.'
It was Tristan. Serenity smiled. She had been dating him on and off for about a year now, and he wasn't exactly discreet about his feelings for her. Of course, Serenity was also still in touch with Duke Devlin, who seemed to think he was Serenity's boyfriend.
To be honest, Serenity didn't want to decide. She loved them both.
'Hey Tristan. What brings you to this neck of the woods?' she asked jovially.
Tristan didn't answer this question, but nuzzled into her hair like an affectionate puppy and whispered 'I'm particularly unpopular with your brother at the moment, Serenity.'
She giggled. 'Oh it's Ok, Tristan. He's always depressed about one thing or another.' Her voice darkened a little. 'What I'm worried about is if he turns out like Dad.'
Tristan nodded. He knew all about Mr Wheeler and his drinking problem.
'I'll make sure he doesn't get on the booze, sweetheart. I promise.' Tristan kissed Serenity on the cheek and she smiled broadly.
If only Joey could have as good a time as she was having.
'Hey! You two lovebirds gossiping about me?' Joey's voice rang through from the next room.
Serenity rolled her eyes. He was so paranoid!
'No. Just get on with drooling over those girly pictures, Ok?' called Tristan.
Serenity gave him a warning nudge.
The kitchen door burst open and Joey stormed in, red in the face.
Tristan let go of Serenity and balled his hands into fists.
'Just you say that again, you son of a bitch.' Hissed Joey.
'Just get on with drooling over those girly pictures, Ok?' replied Tristan.
Joey gave a cry and flung himself at Tristan, thumping him hard in the jaw and sending him reeling backwards.
Tristan pulled himself together, ready to retaliate, but Serenity jumped between the two young men.
'Guys! What is your problem?' she shrieked.
Joey was shaking with anger.
'He knows.' He growled, pointing at his friend with a trembling finger. 'He knows my problem, and he's teasing me about it. He thinks it's funny. Serenity, I ain't gonna let you out with him again, and if I so much as smell a hint of his cheap aftershave around my house, he won't make it out alive, I swear!'
'Joey, I didn't mean it.' Apologised Tristan. 'Not that way. I'm sorry if it seemed like I was even suggesting you liked Mai because of her-'
'See? He's doing it again! He's taunting me!' Joey attempted to push past Serenity and get at Tristan's neck, but Serenity held him back.
'Perhaps you should go, Tristan.' She said quietly.
'But honey, I...'
'I'll be fine.' Said Serenity. 'He's my brother. He won't hurt me. Just go. I'll see you somehow, Ok?'
Tristan took Serenity by the shoulders and kissed her passionately.
Serenity broke away from him.
'Just go, Ok?'
Tristan backed away silently, out through the door into the sitting room and away.
'Yeah, and don't come back, you bastard!' Joey roared after him.
'Joey, calm down-'
Joey swung round and slapped his younger sister across the face.
Serenity cried out in surprise, then burst into tears and sat down heavily on the couch.
Joey stood there, frozen, staring at what he had done.
'Jesus, look what's happening to me!' He said quietly. 'I'm sorry Serenity.'
'You're not Joey.' Whimpered his sister. 'You're turning out worse than Dad. You don't even need beer to get you like this.'
Joey sat down next to her.
'Look, maybe it would be better if I just wasn't here at all.' He said softly.
Serenity stared up at him.
'You're not saying...'
'Maybe it's the best way, yeah.' Joey smiled at her, his eyes shining with tears.
'Joey, it's been eight years.' Said Serenity. 'Perhaps it's time to stop pining. Perhaps it's time to stop giving up. Either go get her or forget her.'
'Who?' Joey suddenly changed without warning. 'See? I've forgotten already. I'll do what you say, sis. I'm gonna get a life, not lose what I've already got.'
Still, Serenity was worried. That transformation was way too quick. Maybe he was just trying to make her happy before he...
When Joey left for the bedroom, Serenity punched Yugi's number into the telephone.
It's at times like these when people need reminding of who they were.
# CW: Whaddayathink? Personally, I think it's starting to sound like a bad soap opera, but in Mai's own immortal words, 'who doesn't love a bad soap opera?' #
